Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) Preparation: Online delivery

About this course

This course has been designed to support candidates who have already achieved their Engineer Officer of the Watch licence and who wish to apply for a management level licence (Second/Chief Engineer) and perform the senior engineering roles on board Merchant Navy vessels.

This online course will support you in preparing for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) external examination, administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

What you'll study

This online course consists of a 6-week study programme following which you may apply to take the external written exams, covering the MCA Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) examination syllabus, including: 

• Motor engineering knowledge
• General engineering knowledge
• Legislation
• Electrical knowledge
• Ship construction
• Boilers
• Control and instrumentation.

Course delivery

The course is delivered online using the University's Solent Online Learning (SOL) platform. 

Participating candidates will benefit from the combined expertise of a team of experienced marine engineering and electrical lecturers as well as subject matter experts. Together, they will use a variety of teaching and learning techniques including presentations, group discussions, professional dialogue, and past paper dissection to ensure full engagement with the topics.  

Throughout the course you will have digital access to course materials including notes and presentations. The examples presented during the course will reference the latest developments and technologies including equipment designed and developed by reputable manufacturers such as MAN B&W and Wärtsilä.

On concluding the course with a minimum of 80% attendance (a requirement of the MCA to sit the management engineering examinations), each participant will receive a certificate of completion.  This certificate will be provided in both digital and physical formats.

Additional prerequisites

It is beneficial for candidates undertaking the Engineering Knowledge (EK) examinations, to have completed 12 months’ seagoing service, while holding an EOOW III/1 Certificate of Competency (CoC) on vessels of at least 750 kW in engine power.

The additional prerequisites for achieving a management level CoC can be found in MSN 1857 (M+F) - Amendment 1.

To support your application for a CoC you may also wish to consider the below courses:

• High Voltage Training Management Level (HV)
• Human Element, Leadership and Management at the Management Level (HELM(M))
• Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) Preparation: Question and Answer

Note: to be issued with a management level CoC, in addition to the management engineering examinations this course will prepare you for, you will be required to undertake an MCA oral exam at either second or chief engineer level.  These examinations are arranged and funded by candidates independently.

Course dates and applications

Monday 7 September to Friday 16 October 2026

Monday 11 January to Friday 19 February 2027

Monday 12 April to Friday 21 May 2027

Course fee

£2,500 

Please note that the course fee does not include the external examination fee. Examinations may be booked here.